Acrylic vs. Corrugated Plastic: A Comparison

Acrylic is amongst the most popularly used Signage materials. It brings the durability of plastic, and the sophisticated look of glass, which makes it an easy choice. It doesn’t stop there, acrylic is easy to customize, with colour combinations and various levels of transparency. 

Acrylic Signages

When you start noticing, you'll understand that acrylic signage is all around. In every type of setting, you can envisage, including retail businesses, office parks, banks, hospitals, and even big stadiums. 

What makes Acrylic a popular choice for Signage? 

Acrylic is ideal for indoor and outdoor projects, as its installations are relatively straightforward. Let's take a detailed look into what are the features that make Acrylic a popular choice.

Acrylic signs look sophisticated

Acrylic offers a sleek and professional appearance. Its premium look gets the nod at upscale environments like corporates and luxury businesses.

Acrylic signages are lightweight 

Compared to glass, the signs made of acrylic can get up to 50% lighter. Their light weight gives an advantage in transportation and installation. It is this lightness which reduces the impact and stress it has on the supporting structure, making it preferable. 

Acrylic signages are durable

There is a reason they are often preferred over glass. The acrylic signages are less likely to fracture or break, unlike the glass. This makes them more durable in the face of some pressure. This makes them safer to handle as well. 

Acrylic signages are Customizable

One of the primary advantages of acrylic signage is that they are customizable and easy to fabricate. You can cut and shape them with minimal effort. With techniques like laser cutting and engraving, it's easier to customize acrylic signage, opening up to a wide range of complex designs and branding.

Their lower melting point means they can be shaped into delicate patterns, both larger and smaller ones with relative ease. 

Acrylic signages are Weather-resistance

Acrylic is weather-resistant. They are less vulnerable to cracks even with prolonged exposure to drastic weather conditions. You can install acrylic sign boards outdoors without having to worry about rain, snow, or heat. They are prone to stand the test of time, weather and time. 

Acrylic signages are UV resistance

For outdoor signages, UV radiation is a challenge one has to navigate. This is where Acrylic shines as a better choice. It doesn’t fade easily even with prolonged UV exposure. 

Acrylic is one of the few materials available that is capable of diffusing UV rays instead of reflecting them. This limits any mishaps from reflection or overheating. 

Acrylic signages are Impact-resistance

Unlike glass, the signages made of acrylic are not brittle. This makes them safe and easy to handle. While a certain amount of care and maintenance is required, acrylic is capable of surviving the occasional mishaps like bumps or falls.

Things to remember before choosing Acrylic Signage

It's not all roses with Acrylic, as they do come with some shortcomings. We’ll take a look at those here. 

Is Acrylic vulnerable to Scratches?

Yes, Acrylic signages are easily susceptible to scratches. That will be one of your biggest challenges while using acrylic sign boards. Although it's relatively less complicated to remove scratches from Acrylic with proper maintenance, the acrylic sign boards can stay presentable for a long time. 

Is acrylic’s Heat/Cold Resistance limited? 

Despite being resistant to the weather, Acrylic doesn’t do well with extreme temperatures. Acrylic sheets cannot withstand extreme heat or cold. Upon prolonged exposure to either, they are prone to get brittle and develop cracks. Polycarbonate is better at handling extreme temperatures. 

Are acrylic signages budget-friendly?

For the smaller designs, acrylic albeit being higher the difference in cost may not be substantial. But as the design gets bigger the cost of acrylic sigs tends to be higher compared to corrugated plastic. 

Corrugated Plastic: A budget alternative to Acrylic signages

It's unlikely you would not come across real estate signs on the front lawns of houses yet to be sold, or shops promoting seasonal offers. What is common between those? They are temporary sign boards and they are likely to be made out of corrugated plastic. 

The corrugated plastic a.k.a coroplast signages shine bright on their day. Yes, it is amongst the popular choice of material for pop-up stores, and temporary structures and there is a reason why. Let's take a look at what makes them popular. 

Advantages of Corrugated Plastic

Corrugated plastic signage is more affordable

Yes, corrugated plastic is a cost-effective option compared to acrylic. Corrugated plastic is extremely cheap to manufacture and to buy. Even if it gets damaged, replacing it wouldn’t cost you a fortune as long as your budget permits. This makes it a great budget-friendly option for temporary or disposable signs and boards.

Corrugated plastic is lightweight

Corrugated plastic is lighter than other forms of solid plastic. Hence it is easier to carry and transport, which is why it serves as an ideal choice of raw material for temporary sign boards at events or seasonal promotions.

 Corrugated plastic is weather-resistant

The coroplast is not as durable as acrylic when it comes to drastic exposure. Nonetheless, the corrugated plastic has weather resistance to sustain weather exposure during short/ medium-term outdoor use. 

Corrugated plastic is versatile and flexible 

Corrugated plastic is as versatile and flexible as acrylic. You are left with a flush of options to choose from a wide range of colours, thicknesses, several printing methods, and final touches to ensure that your sign looks good. 

Corrugated plastic is recyclable

Like Acrylic, coroplast is considered 100% recyclable, although it is not biodegradable. If you want to make an eco-friendly choice that's budget-friendly, corrugated plastic is your friend. 

Things to ask before choosing Corrugated Plastic

Does corrugated plastic appear as sophisticated as Acrylic? 

Corrugated plastic signage doesn’t look as polished or sophisticated as acrylic signage. One reason they don’t cut permanent signage solutions. You may not find them suitable for high-end premises. 

Is Corrugated Plastic as durable as Acrylic?

While coroplast is considerably resistant to weather conditions, it is not as durable as acrylic. It may lose its shine and degrade more quickly over time, particularly in harsh weather conditions outdoors. 

Is Coroplast as customizable as Acrylic? 

For designs and branding, as they get bigger in size and more complicated in design, corrugated plastic signage might not cut. Acrylic remains the preferred option for its customizability. 

Conclusion

Corrugated plastic reigns supreme with its cost-effectiveness and flexibility, when it comes to installation in front of retail stores or trade show displays. But if you need premium durability and sophisticated looks. Go for Acrylic! But be informed that it comes with a price.